So, What's Up With Latisse?

We've heard questions lately regarding the news about the FDA and Latisse. If you haven't yet read about it, here's the deal: The FDA recently warned Allergan (the maker of Latisse, the prescription-only lash growing product) that the company had downplayed some of the risks associated with the drug on its website by placing the potential side effects in too-small type or even omitting them. (The company has since made updates to its website—here's their page on safety.) So what exactly does this mean for consumers?

To find out, we turned to Wendy W. Lee, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. (Lee participated in the clinical trials, and is a Latisse-user, herself.) Here's her take: "I don't think that anyone needs to be worried about this FDA decision to change the marketing. It is all about awareness," she says. "As far as the potential side effects, they are very unlikely to occur, but are a remote possibility. I counsel all of my Latisse patients on these—they have the right to know and should be educated before treatment. But the drug has been through rigorous testing and very strict FDA regulations. It has been used in over 30 clinical studies on hundreds of patients. We know it is safe." If you use Latisse or are thinking about doing so, ask your doctor for all the details.